Question:
From Windows 7 Home Premium to Ultimate - will BitLocker work on my system?
2010-06-22 17:12:51 UTC
Hi everyone:

I recently got this brand new Dell XPS 8100 desktop that had Windows 7 Home Premium preinstalled on it. I want to upgrade to Ultimate version though. There are two reasons for me to do that: 1. Windows XP mode and 2. BitLocker.

I tried contacting Dell tech support and the guy who was helping me told me that XP mode will be supported but he wasn't sure about BitLocker, because evidently it requires some chip or something that according to him my system didn't have.

I was curious, does that BitLocker really need some specialized chip to work, or can it work without such a chip? I'm curious to know because if BitLocker won't work for me then obviously I will not be paying $140 for an upgrade?

Thanks in advance!
Three answers:
Tracy L
2010-06-22 17:43:22 UTC
Color me confused, BitLocker is included as part of Win7 Ultimate edition!

SEE http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/features/bitlocker.aspx

I have no idea what hardware chip would be needed???

Its software encrypted.
Helpful Harry
2010-06-22 18:57:38 UTC
Yes, you will need a compatible TPM Security chip or a USB in order for BitLocker to work.



EDIT *** Here are the requirements:

To encrypt the drive that Windows is installed on (the operating system drive), BitLocker stores its own encryption and decryption key in a hardware device that is separate from your hard disk, so you must have one of the following:



A computer with Trusted Platform Module (TPM), which is a special microchip in many computers that supports advanced security features. If your computer was manufactured with TPM version 1.2 or higher, BitLocker will store its key in the TPM.



A removable USB memory device, such as a USB flash drive. If your computer doesn’t have TPM version 1.2 or higher, BitLocker will store its key on the flash drive. This option is only available if your system administrator has set up your network to allow the use of a startup key instead of the TPM.



To turn on BitLocker Drive Encryption on the operating system drive, your computer’s hard disk must:



Have at least two partitions: a system partition (which contains the files needed to start your computer and must be at least 200 MB) and an operating system partition (which contains Windows). The operating system partition will be encrypted and the system partition will remain unencrypted so your computer can start. If your computer doesn't have two partitions, BitLocker will create them for you. Both partitions must be formatted with the NTFS file system.



Have a BIOS that is compatible with TPM or supports USB devices during computer startup. If this isn't the case, you will need to update the BIOS before using BitLocker. For more information on updating your BIOS, see Update the BIOS for BitLocker Drive Encryption.



To find out if your computer has Trusted Platform Module (TPM) security hardware

Click to open BitLocker Drive Encryption.



In the left pane, click TPM Administration. If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.



The TPM Management on Local Computer snap-in tells you if your computer has the TPM security hardware. If your computer doesn't have it, you'll need a removable USB memory device to turn on BitLocker and store the BitLocker startup key that you’ll need whenever you start your computer.







Dane
BlackBelt1
2010-06-22 17:29:55 UTC
All I can say is that.

I`m running Windows 7 Ultimate and I don`t need any "Special chip" to run BitLocker


This content was originally posted on Y! Answers, a Q&A website that shut down in 2021.
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